December 2017
Book arts: Paper marbling
In this fun class you will learn how to create beautiful marble patterns on paper. In paper marbling, paint is suspended onto the surface of specially prepared thickened water and combed or swirled into intricate patterns, then transferred onto sheets of paper. These lusciously patterned sheets were traditionally used in bookbinding, but you can also use your finished papers in scrapbooks, collages, greeting cards, or even just framed for the wall! All materials are provided, and you will create between…
Find out more »Block printed holiday wrapping
Make your own one-of-a-kind gift wrap in this fun class! Students will use a variety of hand carved wood and linoleum blocks as well as letterpress type to create richly layered holiday wrap. We’ll be using oil based printing inks on kraft paper sheets in your choice of three great colours, and you will go home with 4 sheets of beautifully printed 25×38″ paper. No printmaking experience is necessary, and all materials are included. Please note that the oil based…
Find out more »Bookbinding: Longstitch 2
In this variant form of Longstitch binding, a combination of longstitch and link stitch, folded sections of pages are sewn together by linking the sections through holes punched through a wraparound cover sheet to create a pattern of exposed sewing along the spine. For this sample book we will use a heavy paper cover sheet, but this binding style is perfect for covers made of heavy, flexible materials such as leather, vinyl, vellum, or some fabrics. We will cover some…
Find out more »January 2018
Printing custom bookplates
In this class you will learn the basics of typesetting and linoblock printing in order to create your own set of bookplates (ex libris labels) for your book collection. You will have the option of creating a fully hand carved design, creating a design exclusively from our wood and metal type and letterpress ornaments collection, or combining the two to create your own one-of-a-kind bookplate design. This class combines two printmaking methods, and to allow for block carving and typesetting…
Find out more »Bookbinding: Hardcover stab binding
Stab binding is one of the simplest and earliest forms of bookbinding, using single sheets in which holes are stabbed or drilled and sewn on the outside using a variety of traditional stitch patterns. In this class you will learn how to make a hard cover with a hinge, and create the decorative binding. All materials are provided, including paper, and you will leave the class with a finished book. We will be wrapping our cover boards in paper and…
Find out more »Screenprinted t-shirts
In this class you will learn the basics of how to create a silkscreen for printing your own design on t-shirts. The first week will focus on creating your design, and you will learn how to make a silk screen positive and expose it onto a screen using photo sensitive emulsion. In the second week you will print your shirts with your own one-colour design. This class runs for two weeks on Monday evenings, January 8 and 15, from 7…
Find out more »Paper relief monotypes
In this fun 3-hour class you will create a richly layered one-of-a-kind print in full colour using cut and torn paper assembled into a printing plate. Paper relief is an easy technique for producing monoprints mixing bold solids with complex atmospheric textures. If you enjoy making papercuts, this is a way that you can use that traditional method in printmaking! All materials, including paper, are provided, and you will leave the class with at least one beautiful finished print. Depending…
Find out more »February 2018
Bookbinding: Coptic
Coptic binding is an ancient bookbinding method in which folded sections of paper are sewn together between rigid covers to create a decorative chain stitch across the exposed spine. This is an ideal method for binding albums and sketchbooks, as the book can be laid open entirely flat. In this introductory class you will create a book using cover boards that have been prepared in advance. You will choose from a selection of cover boards culled from vintage books, and…
Find out more »Letterpress greeting cards (two day class)
In this hands-on introductory class you will learn the basics of setting type and designing your own unique cards using wood and metal type and letterpress ornaments. All materials are provided (including envelopes for your cards!), and you will create a set of ten cards of your own design in your choice of paper colour. This class runs for two consecutive evenings, Monday February 5 and Tuesday February 6, from 7-9:30pm. You will design your cards and set type on…
Find out more »Block printed t-shirts
In this class, students will create richly coloured prints on t-shirts using linoleum, woodblocks, rollers, and letterpress blocks. We will cover some of the challenges of printing on fabric versus paper, and use pre-cut blocks and other print matrices to experiment with printing both by hand and in a printing press. You will go home with a beautifully printed shirt! All materials are included. We have several colours of shirts in stock in unisex and curvy sizes (adult only), and…
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